Micah Richards - What A Difference 2 Years Makes!

[King Kev]

I was just reading through some old threads and stumbled upon THIS post asking if Micah has what it takes.

In the poll, 64% voted that he was 'Crap' rather than 'Class'.

I dare say that if we had the same poll now the outcome would be quite different, Micah has excelled since the last quarter of last season and now looks like a top class Right Back IMO.

For the record, my expert assesment at the time was

To be a top class defender? Yes

To be a top class Right Back? Never

What the fucl do I know!?

Well done Micah, your hard work is paying off and you have proved a lot of people wrong. Keep it up/

[Kladze]

I was just reading through some old threads and stumbled upon THIS post asking if Micah has what it takes.

In the poll, 64% voted that he was 'Crap' rather than 'Class'.

I dare say that if we had the same poll now the outcome would be quite different, Micah has excelled since the last quarter of last season and now looks like a top class Right Back IMO.

For the record, my expert assesment at the time was

To be a top class defender? Yes

To be a top class Right Back? Never

What the fucl do I know!?

Well done Micah, your hard work is paying off and you have proved a lot of people wrong. Keep it up/

To be honest, I would have agreed with your assessment KK.

And I think he is still learning the offensive part of the full back role - God help other defences if and when he perfects it.

[Yffi_88]

Agreed. He's been fantastic for a while now. I think it's the pressure he has on him. When he was breaking through I thought he was brilliant, then when his place became secure he seemed to die off a bit - and then lost it again.

The players around him now are sure to be keeping him on his toes, training well and putting in the performances.

Long may it continue.

[Beeks]

Admittedly I was probably his biggest detractor on this site

The humble pie has been eaten...several times over...saying that though...when I was slating him he was playing gash

He's completely stepped up a level since then

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I noticed that there's one feller on that topic who consitently talks sense. Got to agree with what he says.

In between. He isn't top class nor is he crap.

One things for sure though, he will never be top centerback and right back should be his spot.

I personally believe Zab is top quality right back and expected Micah to be his understudy but apart from derby, he has been fairly good for us this season. I think some people were just waiting for him to have poor game to have a pop at him.

[john@staustell]

No one remember how much time Mancini spent with Micah during games? "Concentrate, concentration......". Speaking to him throughout like he now does Mario.

I'm sure he spent even more time with him in training and I reckon it's all down to Mr Mancini. Clichy too seems a lot better than Arsenal fans thought.

[Goaters 103]

Has become a far better player under Mancini. Had stagnated under Hughes.

Better ball distribution, looks fitter, more mobile and makes better decisions at both ends of the pitch.

[Yffi_88]

. Clichy too seems a lot better than Arsenal fans thought.

In Roberto We Trust... ;)

[Mike J]

im not in that thread but in many others i have said that i think he will be one of europes top defenders and im sticking by that.

[Slim]

I said he'd be a top defender, finally I get one right.

[Esky]

That thread came just after the 4-3 derby (where he'd switched off for the final goal) so perhaps the poll looks worse than it should have.

In any case, neither Young nor Nani got a thing from him the other day. He and Milner also completely destroyed Evra down their left as well. Micah's been very impressive for a long while now - the positional sense is there and he's creating a lot going forward. Credit Micah, credit Mancini.

[HeyMark]

I remember going to Wolves at home in Hughes 2nd/last season and he was absolutely abysmal. At that time I couldn't wait to see him getting bombed out of the club.

My opinion has changed dramatically and its all down to the hard work he's been putting in over the last 18months. Well done micah

[brite blu sky]

What a difference two years makes... or what a difference Mancini makes ?

Credit all round I'd say. Micah has always had what it takes imo and by his own admission loves to play football up front. The structure the team now has with cover slotting in for the FBs and support going forward is a dream come true for Micah. Still early days in terms of experience of that role in this kind of team but without hesitation I'd say there are shades of some of the best at their best in Micah.
He has got speed but really it is the power that is the key advantage he has.

[Ted Hughes]

Micah's head was wrong pure & simple. He was great when he 1st came into the team & then allowed his standards to drop to an unacceptable level. He wasn't working hard enough. He's got himself focused & wants to be a part of what's happening, which seems to be the case with Mario too.

The big surprise to me is that he's improved so much on the ball, which may well be down to Bob & Co. I didn't think, back then, that he'd make a fullback because he was like a rhino on rollerskates but his alround football ability & intelligence has come on leaps & bounds. Credit to him & the manager/coaches. I still think he could have been the best centre back at the club though. Maybe he will still move there eventually.

[mcfc1632]

Admittedly I was probably his biggest detractor on this site

The humble pie has been eaten...several times over...saying that though...when I was slating him he was playing gash

He's completely stepped up a level since then

It is not a competition.... but I might have been even worse and I am happy to eat some pie.

Just an opinion but I think that there are 2 likely reasons for the improvement

1/ he was great until he got his big contract - then he became (seemingly) really cocky ill-diciplined and lacking effort on the pitch - I despaired at the number of times I saw him casually jogging back when our goal was under pressure. Defo for me big fish attitude

Now he has woken up and smelt the coffee so to speak - he reaslises that chances of playing depend on performance and he cannot live off past reputation - there has been an off the scale increase in his effort over the last 18months

2/ Mancini - I just love the way he seems to be involved in so many things at our club and he has been very 1 on 1 with some players - others have commented on the way he gees up certain players and I think that he has done well with Micah

And of course, at the risk of sounding just a tad cynical, he is not far away from his agent negotiating a new contract and that might help motivation

[Dameerto]

I'm just wondering whether I should break the habbit of a lifetime and gloat or not. I think not.

[brite blu sky]

Micah also highlights the fact that Hughes, despite his self proclaimed superior man management skills, gained a great big FAIL with Micah.

just sayin'

[LeanneIsABlue..x]

Admittedly I was probably his biggest detractor on this site

The humble pie has been eaten...several times over...saying that though...when I was slating him he was playing gash

He's completely stepped up a level since then

I seem to remember you slating him in a game once. He must have really annoyed you cos you seemed very angry. The only problem was he wasn't actually playing at the time - think the poor guy was injured? Haha made me laugh :D

[Terry Cookes nose]

i think the competition with zab has made micah into a better player

[steveo_88]

Micah's head was wrong pure & simple. He was great when he 1st came into the team & then allowed his standards to drop to an unacceptable level. He wasn't working hard enough. He's got himself focused & wants to be a part of what's happening, which seems to be the case with Mario too.

The big surprise to me is that he's improved so much on the ball, which may well be down to Bob & Co. I didn't think, back then, that he'd make a fullback because he was like a rhino on rollerskates but his alround football ability & intelligence has come on leaps & bounds. Credit to him & the manager/coaches. I still think he could have been the best centre back at the club though. [highlight]Maybe he will still move there eventually[/highlight].

I thought that for a while but not anymore. He's still got a way to go to be great but at last the continual improvement is there which had dissapeared, that is all thanks to Mancini and his coaching staff. De Jongs passing was awful when he first came here, all short-backwards-or to the side, he know has a variety of passes and can play people in up front!

Micah will only be an emergency CB because the defensive side of his game at RB is almost great and the attacking aspect is improving with every game. Not only does he get forward every game providing an option but he actually has a good delivery into the box. Savic looks like a long term plan for a CB and he's looked decent so far but has alot still to learn. Boyata fingers crossed will have a Birmingham City-esque loan spell and come back much the better for his time away, I'd put him down as a long term CB but it depends how much he improves this season.

One thing is certain Mancini and the coaches are certainly getting the most from their players and all but one seem to be buying into their system!